On Tuesday, San Mateo County Sheriff Carlos Bolanos announced that he will no longer be cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on inmate releases or inmate transfers.
According to a press release issued by the office, Bolanos made the decision in an effort to foster trust with county residents, in order to better protect them.
The decision has been in the works since a Nov. 3 meeting, the annual Transparent Review of Unjust Transfers and Holds (TRUTH) Act forum, an annual meeting required when law enforcement cooperates with ICE.
Bolanos, along with the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, listened to concerns from residents, which ultimately informed the change in policy.
"It has become apparent to me that complying with those requests regarding the pending release of undocumented individuals who have committed serious crimes is undermining the trust we need to protect the community," said Bolanos in the statement. "It simply is not worth losing the trust of many
members of the public by continuing to process these requests from ICE. Our policy is now consistent with other Bay Area counties."
In the last three years, the sheriff’s office transferred at least 119 people to ICE, according to reporting by The Mercury News. Last year, 15 inmates were transferred from San Mateo County jail to ICE, 74% of the total for all nine Bay Area counties, the paper reported.
The majority of those convicted of serious felonies serve their time in state prison, not county jail, according to the release.
"This is a momentous and compassionate decision by our sheriff to end cooperation with ICE. He listened to the community and values all our residents regardless of immigration status. This is a policy change that will keep families whole and I applaud Sheriff Bolanos for taking this action," said Board President David J. Canepa.
Bolanos said he will continue to evaluate the policy change, and make adjustments if necessar
Related
